8 Powerful Words TAKS Prep English

Day 1

Tell in your own words why or how EXPLAIN Tell in your own words why or how

Point out, take special notice EMPHASIZE Point out, take special notice

Back it up, prove it, give examples SUPPORT Back it up, prove it, give examples

Example: 1. What is the theme of the story “The Crystal Night”? Explain your answer using evidence. Find the powerful word in the question above. Then find that word on your chart on pages 5-6. Write the number of the question you found the word in. Then explain: What is the question asking you to do with the work? #1: To explain how/why this is the story’s theme. Use quotes.

Which powerful word do you see? 1. How would you describe the German soldiers in “The Crystal Night”? Support your answer with evidence from the selection. a. What powerful word? b. Where on your chart? ………… c. What is it asking? ……………….. Write the number of the question next to word. Explain what the question is asking you to do specifically.

Which powerful word do you see? 2. What is the primary conflict in “Breakfast in Virginia”? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection. a. What powerful word? b. Where on your chart? ………… c. What is it asking? ……………….. Write the number of the question next to word. Explain what the question is asking you to do specifically.

Which powerful word do you see? 3. In paragraph 7, the author uses the words “creaked” and “shuddered” to emphasize the attitude of the chief condition of the truck heat of the highway fear of the couple a. What powerful word? b. Where on your chart? ………… c. What is it asking? ……………….. Write the number of the question next to word. Explain what the question is asking you to do specifically.

Day 2

INFER Read between the lines, get what’s being hinted at but not said directly

Make an educated guess on what will happen next PREDICT Make an educated guess on what will happen next

Come to a final understanding CONCLUDE Come to a final understanding

Which powerful word do you see? Based on her earlier reaction to the news about John, what do you predict April will do next? pretend that she has fainted run away screaming act like nothing matters to her laugh loudly a. What powerful word? b. Where on your chart? ………… c. What is it asking? ……………….. Write the number of the question next to word. Explain what the question is asking you to do specifically.

Which powerful word do you see? The reader can infer that the elderly man: identifies with the two corporals because his son is a soldier believes there should be two separate types of cars on the train performs an act of kindness because he feels superior to the two soldiers a. What powerful word? b. Where on your chart? ………… c. What is it asking? ……………….. Write the number of the question next to word. Explain what the question is asking you to do specifically.

Which powerful word do you see? From the reaction of the chief, the reader can conclude that they are used to dealing with malaria they do not care whether the boy dies they grew up together near the hospital they will have dinner together that evening a. What powerful word? b. Where on your chart? ………… c. What is it asking? ……………….. Write the number of the question next to word. Explain what the question is asking you to do specifically.

Day 3

Give a short version of the whole thing SUMMARIZE Give a short version of the whole thing

The closest possible choice BEST The closest possible choice

BEST Some examples of use: best describes, best demonstrates, best conveys, best reveals, best indicates, best illustrates, best represents, best expresses, best matches, etc. Be sure you read WHAT the question is asking for (underlining it helps)– and pick the closest choice. Even if you don’t understand every word, you should still be able to eliminate some choices.

Which powerful word do you see? Which sentence from the story summarizes the attitude the Nazis displayed? As I walked home, I heard loud shouting and singing. Like all the other kids, I had become caught up in the excitement. None of them seemed to notice me. Momentarily startled, the giant trooper loosened his grip. a. What powerful word? b. Where on your chart? ………… c. What is it asking? ……………….. Write the number of the question next to word. Explain what the question is asking you to do specifically.

Which powerful word do you see? Which word best identifies what Superman represents for the narrator? Independence Intelligence Protection Purity a. What powerful word? b. Where on your chart? ………… c. What is it asking? ……………….. Write the number of the question next to word. Explain what the question is asking you to do specifically.